Birupakkha and Chandranath temple in Sitakunda is one of the major pilgrimage sites for Sanatan devotees. Every day many Sanatani devotees come from home and abroad. Besides, people from different communities flock to Chandranath Hill to enjoy the natural beauty of the hill.
Over thousands of pilgrims as well as tourists comes from various part of the country to this site at a daily basis. However, many tourists who come here at different times spoil the image of this pilgrimage and give rise to some controversies.
Birupakkha temple is located on Chandranath Pahar in Sitakunda of Chattogram. 200 feet above Birupakkha temple from Chandranath temple. Recently a travel group applied to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Sitakunda for permission to carry out rappelling, an adventure sports which is extremely popular in many countries which have hilly areas.
Recently a group of young tourists started rappelling at Chandranath Pahar. A rappelling programme was organized there under the banner of several youth tourist groups. Earlier last week, a tour group filed an application with UNO seeking permission for rappelling. Multiple posts were also made on the group's Facebook page. In view of this, a local organization applied to Chattogram Superintendent of Police last Tuesday to ban rappelling. This event was supposed to start from last Thursday. Various campaigns were conducted by the organizers. Besides, an application is made to the upazila executive officer. But the upazila administration of Sitakunda did not give permission. Before this, the news about rappelling was published in various media. UNO Md Shahadat Hossain said rappelling will not be allowed considering the risk and Sanatan being one of the pilgrimage sites. As it is one of the main pilgrimage sites of Sanatan religious people, it is said that no activities can be done here as a tourist spot.
According to the application to Chattogram District Superintendent of Police, the religious pilgrimage site Birupakkha temple is under threat during rappelling as it is very close to the steep hill. On the other hand, tourists are doing various misdeeds in the temple area in the name of picnic. They raised 10-point demands to protect the sanctity of the shrine.
It is known that it is not a tourist center approved for public. Chandranath hill in Sitakunda is one of the pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Every year on the Shiva Chaturdashi day in the month of Falgun. A three-day religious fair is held around this shrine committee. Chandranath Temple is situated on the top of a steep hill at about 1,200 feet above sea level. To go to this temple, one has to cross the hill top. It is exciting for tourists. But rope climbing from a steep mountain 1000 feet high is very dangerous.
According to local sources, the local residents and informed groups have expressed their concern after seeing the writings and pictures of this type of campaign from several IDs recently. They fear that a terrible accident could happen there anytime. An organization called Sanatani Sampraday of all levels has complained to the Sitakunda Shrine Committee to stop the immoral and religious incitement activities of outsiders in the Birupakkha temple and Chandranath temple of Sitakunda. In the complaint, they said that by announcing the package through social media, they were spending the night in tents on the temple hill and barbecuing there, desecrating the sanctity of the temple. Also they are rappelling from 300 feet high on the Birupakkha temple hill. The entire mountain is being monitored by drones. We consider it a threat to our temple.
Advocate Chandan Das, General Secretary of Sitakund Shrine Committee, said that no one has taken any permission from the shrine committee on behalf of the tourist group.
Sitakunda Model Police Station OC Abul Kalam Azad said that no crime will be allowed in Chandranath hill in the name of rappelling or picnic. Legal action will be taken against those violating the order. Hence, the police patrolling at Chandranath temple has been strengthened.
According to the Sanatani organization, the new thinking and bravery of the youth about rappelling is to be appreciated, which will encourage tourists from different places to visit the mountain. Since they are bringing training from abroad in this regard, it is inspiring the youth in the country. We have no objection to the fact that tourist groups can continue their rappelling activities anywhere except the Hindu pilgrimage site. Because it is a holy place for pilgrims, it comes with religious sentiments. So that there is no turbulent environment by creating any unwanted rumors in the future.